The 20 Most Useless College Degrees

By    April 28, 2011 3:00 pm     Posted in Features, Lifestyle, Lists, Party, Travel & Money   Wyatt g+ page

“It doesn’t matter what you major in, all that matters is getting that degree in your hand.” This phrase was thrown around by my parents so much that I actually believed it, or at least wanted to. Thanks, parents. Here’s a list of the 20 most useless degrees a student can get. If you are surprised to see your major on this list don’t be hurt – at least you had fun in college, right? Check out the other suckers below (myself included) who thought they made the right choice.

1. Journalism

Median starting salary: $35,800
Median mid-career salary: $66,600
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -4,400
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -6.32

2. Horticulture

Median starting salary: $35,000
Median mid-career salary: $50,800
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -15,200
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -1.74

3. Agriculture

Median starting salary: $42,300
Median mid-career salary: $59,700
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -9,100
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -0.88

4. Advertising

Median starting salary: $37,800
Median mid-career salary: $73,200
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -800
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -1.71

5. Fashion Design

Median starting salary: $37,700
Median mid-career salary: $72,200
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +200
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +0.81

6. Child and Family Studies

Median starting salary: $29,500
Median mid-career salary: $38,400
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +36,100
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +12.33

7. Music

Median starting salary: $36,700
Median mid-career salary: $57,000
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +19,600
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +8.16

8. Mechanical Engineering Technology

Median starting salary: $53,300
Median mid-career salary: $84,300
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -700
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: -1.45

9. Chemistry

Median starting salary: $42,400
Median mid-career salary: $83,700
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +2,100
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +2.48

10. Nutrition

Median starting salary: $42,200
Median mid-career salary: $56,700
Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +5,600
Percentage Change in number of jobs, 2008-2018: +9.24

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE LIST

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    Tags: advertising, agriculture, chemistry, child and family studies, college majors, fashion design, horticulture, journalism, mechanical engineering technology, most useless college majors, Music, nutrition

    Comments

    6 Responses to “The 20 Most Useless College Degrees”
    1. matharang says:
      September 3, 2011 at 2:01 pm

      The chemistry one is just plain inaccurate (and I'm not one); chemistry majors are one of the only majors with more demand than graduates.

      • Fred says:
        December 16, 2011 at 12:08 pm

        I earned a major in chemistry in 1964. My career of 40 years was super. When I retired in 2004, my salary was well over $150,000, with great benefits. I got to travel to over 25 countries on various jobs. The reason today's American students do not major in chemistry or engineering is that you have to "study" to much. How do I know–I made surveys at several high schools! Most want to go to some computer associated job while the Indians and Chinese are getting the high paid tech jobs.

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